While the label and the name are changing, the recipe will remain basically the same except for one small, yet very significant change.

Midwestern Pale Ale will now be brewed with a small portion of barley from the Bell’s Farm in Shepherd, Michigan and will begin shipping in mid-October.

“This is a relatively minor change to the recipe and people won’t notice anything different, however its part of a much larger picture,” said Laura Bell, Marketing Director for Bell’s Brewery, Inc.

It’s a deeper connection to the land, to Michigan and its agricultural heritage and to the Midwest, Bell said.

Barley from the Bell’s Farm is also used to brew two other beers – Christmas Ale and Harvest Ale (also made with Michigan grown hops).

The new label features an original painting of the Bell’s Farm by Kalamazoo artist Conrad Kaufman.

Early spring weather affects Bell’s Cherry Stout production for 2012

Bell's Brewery, Inc.

09.21.2012

COMSTOCK – Since it was first released in 1988, Bell’s Cherry Stout has always been brewed with 100-percent Montmorency cherry juice made from cherries grown in northern Michigan’s Traverse City region.

We are extremely proud of this deep connection to our home state.

This seasonal beer is released annually in October along with other stouts in our portfolio – Java Stout, Expedition Stout, Special Double Cream Stout and others. Unfortunately, that tradition will have to be put on hold this year.

Warm temperatures followed by multiple frosts earlier this year severely affected Michigan’s tart cherry crop to such an extent that unfortunately, there will be no new batches of Cherry Stout in 2012.

A small number of Cherry Stout kegs from 2011 will be released on a limited basis however.

While we do hope that a bountiful harvest will allow us to bring this beer back to our fall stout line-up next year, more importantly, we are hopeful that it will allow Michigan’s fruit growers to recover as well.

Sept. 20

Bell's Night: The Hangar Bar & Grill in Kalamazoo – a la carte beer dinner, swag and specialty beers including Debs’ Red and Roundhouse IRA. Take a look at the menu.

Sept. 22

Tap Explosion:The Hofbrau in Interlochen all day - Oberon, Two Hearted, Amber, Lager, Vienna Smoked Lager, Octoberfest, Pale Ale and Oarsman *Apologies - This event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date.

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